IN LEGEND AND HISTORY yg 



all creatures of the earth and air, and who 

 called them his "little brothers" and "little 

 sisters," addressed a sermon to a multitude 

 of swallows and other birds in a field, by the 

 roadside. The birds flew down from the 

 trees and pressed close about the saint and 

 listened devoutly as he spoke. He told them 

 of their Creator and of the many blessings he 

 had bestowed upon them, in giving them the 

 air in which they lived, the raiment which they 

 wore, the food and shelter which they enjoyed. 

 And he told them always to be grateful for 

 these benefits. The birds listened devoutly 

 and made visible signs of understanding the 

 words of the saint, opening their beaks and 

 spreading their wings. Then, after the saint 

 had blessed them, they flew away, filling the air 

 wjth a wonderful song in which they sought 

 "to praise and to thank the good Jesus." 



In the second legend we find the swallows 

 visiting one of the old convents of Italy. 

 It was situated in the midst of dense woods, 

 and far from cities. 



